Venus Pool - LRPs & Sandpipers ....

Thought I'd have a change from Peregrines today! An hour at Venus Pool this morning surprsingly turned up a few waders! The two Little Ringed Plovers were still present of course,










they were joined by a couple of Common Sandpipers (one of which was obligingly close)












plus a Green Sandpiper......

Peregrine juvs - POTW

Judging by initial comments, I thought the 'food pass' juvenile Peregrine picture had that something 'special'. The Birdguides team evidently thought so too and I was stunned to get a second award in the space of three weeks (three years was more likely?)






As a celebration, here's another frame from the sequence.






Plus a female fly past......

Shropshire - Peregrines at play

It's blowing a gale, overhead a falcon glides - effortlessly hanging then harnessing the power of the wind, imperceptible wing adjustments alter it's course and then, like a bullet it streaks overhead. I've just witnessed the complete master of flight - a Peregrine and I'm lucky to capture that moment........










Juvenile Peregrines are also now on the wing - instantly recognisable by their brown streaked underparts. Learning the serious art of hunting is merged with play - awesome yet comical but an unforgettable sight......

Upton Magna - Turtles

The days of Turtle Doves being easy finds are long gone but there are still one or two around! I put quite a bit of time in the Upton Magna area recently and these are the pick of the bunch.......

Anglesey - Fishing Trip

The Cemlyn bay Tern colony is still going strong despite the disastrous weather 'wipe out' of 2007 but numbers certainly appeared to be down on recent years. Predominantly Common and Sandwich with a few Arctic present. I concentrated on the Common Terns, some of which were fishing within 100m of the shore












Catching the moment - leaving the water, hopefully with a fish, requires patience, lots of attempts and that touch of luck! The birds were too far away for anything other than a 500mm lens so focussing was not too snappy. I never did get the shot I wanted and the fish were deperately small. Oh well, I will have to try again.......























Few waders were about - Dunlin, Ringed Plover and one of several Turnstone seen here - guess what, they were turning stones!!






The seabird colony at South Stack is certainly alive and well, large numbers of Guillemot, Razorbill, Gulls, Kittiwake and Fulmar plus a Puffin or two. Gannet and Manx Shearwater out at sea.....






Choughs paused briefly from practising their acrobatic manouevres overhead......








Whitethroat were busy defending their territory against the marauding Magpies, shame I couldn't get the out of focus Red Campion to give a complete backdrop......

South Shropshire - birds and chicks

At least a week without a chance for photography! I haven't retired.....

I headed South (could there be a Shrike lurking somewhere?). The only surprise at Longnor bridge,on the way, was that this shot of the Dipper in the dark recesses underneath the overhanging Yew was not totally blurred! A 500mm lens +1.4 converter hand held using a shutter speed of 1/10 sec is not recommended....






A speculative walk around Catherton Common was memorable for my attempt to disappear in one of the many boggy areas - quite entertaining though! It was not memorable for birds.....
Clee hill came up with this little mystery juvenile - not too obvious eh?








Well, with Dad nearby, all became clearer - an attempted lesson in self reliance for food then followed. It didn't work - he just got busier....








Black Hill was next and Tree Pipits were still showing well....








The identity of the next chick on the scene here was fairly obvious, playing peekaboo! Busy parents were left in peace to deliver this little bunch of creepy crawly goodies.....